M's and V-8 Conversions and Exhaust

[W_A_Watson_II]

If you do a V-8 conversion to an M, make sure you notch the frame enough. I broke the manifold (rock crawling, seems 19" isn't enough clearance) and had to replace it. the one I got was slightly different, and well I had to unbolt the engine and jack it up to get the manifold in, and then it's a snug fit.

[MasterYota]

If my memory serves correctly, I didn't have to do any notching with my previous M37 with the SBC in it. I ran stock cast iron center dumps (commonly refered to as "ram-horns") and they cleared the top of the frame rail. The exhaust pipe itself just squeeked past, but I chained the engine down so that it couldn't rock over under load. That setup worked just fine for me.

I'm starting my 428 swap in the next few weeks, and I imagine that might create a few head-scratchers for me...